The Tallest Tree in Our Forest

Presented by Hart House, the Centre for the Study of the United States, Munk School of Global Affairs, and Access and Diversity Unit in Parks Forestry and Recreation (City of Toronto)

Details: In celebration of the UN Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Hart House, the Centre for the Study of the United States, Munk School of Global Affairs, and Access and Diversity Unit in Parks Forestry and Recreation (City of Toronto) present Paul Robeson: The Tallest Tree in Our Forest, Challenging Race and Class within Toronto's Multicultural Framework.

Four panelists, each speaking from a different perspective, will address the importance of actor-turned-civil rights leader Paul Robeson's work both locally and abroad and will relate these achievements within the context of Toronto.The panel discussion will focus on Robeson's approach to race and class during the 1930s and 40s and the relevance of his achievements around current dialogue on the limits of multiculturalism following the release of recent reports indicating that Toronto is becoming an increasingly segregated community along the lines of race, ethnicity and class. A screening of the 8-minute film The Tallest Tree in Our Forest, chronicling the larger than life personality and relevance of Paul Robeson, will precede the panel discussion, along with the presentation of a proclamation signed by Mayor Rob Ford.

"Paul Robeson epitomizes the essence of diveristy yet he is largely misunderstood and not acknowdged and this has to be corrected. The City's commitment to diversity and City Council's official celebration of the date of Robeson's birth is a strong indication that equity and diversity are major priorities for the City of Toronto," says Ken Jeffers, City of Toronto Manager, Access and Diversity, Parks Forestry and Recreation.

Where: East Common Room, Hart House, 7 Hart House Circle, University of Toronto

When: March 23, 2011, 7:00 pm

Cost: Free

Panelists include: Ken Jeffers, City of Toronto Manager, Access and Diversity, Parks Forestry and Recreation; Norm Kelly, Writer and Playwright; Lee Lorch, Civil rights activist and York Professor Emeritus and Rathika Sitsabaiesan, Scarborough-Rouge River Federal NDP Candidate 

For more information, please contact:
Zoe Dille, 416.978.5362 or zoe.dille@harthouse.ca

About Ken Jeffers (Moderator): Ken Jeffers is the current Manager of Diversity in Parks, Forestry and Recreation. His career spans over 25 years in which he has worked with diverse communities, individuals, agencies and organizations.  Through his work Ken has recognized the need for greater outreach and participation by culturally and racially diverse communities. He is responsible for Human Rights training and development for staff, conflict resolution, in conjunction with the Mayor’s office, and community outreach.    Jeffers has developed unique community recreation models, in which, recreation and leisure have been used as vehicles in the personal development of young people. On behalf of the City of Toronto, Ken has initiated access and equity programs by introducing sports and recreation to diverse groups and cultures such as Hockey in the Neighbourhood. Ken is a respected and well known voice for the community.

About Norman Kelly (Panelist): Norm Kelly is a playwright, writer, and arts lover.  Norm has led a storied career marked by social activism, journalist that has taken him from the fields of combat to behind the stage, he has grown to love and admire the work and extraordinary life of Paul Robeson.  Touched by a one man show on Robeson he saw in London in 1977, he later went on to produce a radio play written by Bill McMurtry that was completed in 2010.  He counts meeting Paul Robeson’s’ son Paul Robeson Jr as one of the highlights of his life and has fond memories of the first time he saw Paul Robeson, “ I have great admiration, inspiration, immense respect for his precience, courage, talent athleticism and steadfastness in his struggles”

About Lee Lorch (Panelist): Civil rights activist and York Professor Emeritus Dr. Lee Lorch has received several honorary doctorate He w has made tremendous contributions in the field of mathematics and has also  been a lifelong advocate in the struggle for equal rights and opportunities for black Americans.
Lorch is a tireless advocate for civil and human rights and has dedicated a life to learning and helping.  Born into a family of civil rights activists, Lorch and his family moved to Alberta as political refugees in the 1950’s and later in 1968 made his way to Toronto and York University where he joined the Department of Mathematics, has retired from teaching but he regularly contributes to mathematic publications.

About Rathika Sitsabaiesan (Panelist): Rathika Sitsabaiesan is a former student leader, and a community activist who has worked on many projects and campaigns ranging from education, transit, domestic and international human rights, womens' rights, and overall social justice. Currently she is working with the University of Toronto Students' Union while participating as in the Federal elections as the candidate with the NDP for Scarborough-Rouge River.